Chick box



Nov. 29, 1938. J. z. MEANS ET AL 2,138,112

CHICK BOX Filed Jan. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l CHICK BOX Filed Jan. 2,1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jag- .3

Patented Nov. 29, 1938 v PATENT OFFICE CHICK BOX 7 John Z. Means, IaronR. Conklin, and John H. Conway, Rockford, Ill., assignors to The EddyPaper Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationJanuary 2, 1937, Serial No. 118,868

16Claims.

This invention relates to boxes of the type known as chick boxes andintended primarily for the transportation of live chicks.

An object of the invention is the provision of a chick box of generallyimproved structure insuring ventilation between the boxes when stacked,greater rigidity and strength in the box and greater convenience in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chick box havingan improved corner construction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a chick box havingimproved means for retaining the partitions in position within the box.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a box which may beassembled without the use of staples or other foreign fastening means,and which may be easily and rapidly assembled into its box structure anddisassembled when necessary.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fiber boardchick box wherein the box structure is formed by interlocking portionsat the corners of the box.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a chick boxwherein the corners and the cover of the box cooperate in providingrigidity therefor and in retaining the portions of the box in theirrequired location.

We have also aimed to provide a chick box having improved means forretaining the cover in place.

Other objects and advantages will become ap parent from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view of a chick box embodying our invention showing thecover at an elevated point;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a corner of the box prior to'its beingfolded and interlocked;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the box embodying the invention;

Fig. 4 is a top view of one corner of the box with the cover removed;

in position;

Fig. 6 is a section through a corner of the box parallel to the bottomthereof showing the manner in which the corner is folded and locked, and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified or optional form.v

The invention contemplates a chick box which includes a body formed froma single piece of box board, preferably of the corrugated board variety,cut and scored in such manner that it Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4with the cover 1 may be assembled without the use of foreign fas ings M.It will be seen that because of the slope on the side walls of the boxit is impossible to stack the boxes in such manner as to cut off thepassage of air through the ventilation openings I 4, and this isanimportant function of the sloping side wall as described in U. S. PatentNo. 2,026,417, over which the present invention may be said to be animprovement. In the present construction, however, the sloping sidewalls serve additional functions, as will presently appear.

Referring to Fig. 2, we have shown the manner in whih a sheet of boxboard is cut and scored for the purpose of forming the box body, thisview showing one corner of the blank which is identical with the othercorners thereof. The sheet of box board is scored rectangularly as shownat 15 and I6, which scores define the extremities of the bottom of thefolded box. Beyond the score 16 the board is cut so as to provide anedge I! in one plane and an edge 18 in a plane more remote, which edgeIt forms the upper edge of a corner projection IS, the purpose of whichwill presently appear. The portion between the score l6 and the edge I?constitutes in this instance the side wall l3 and is provided with theopenings l4 and with a slot 2| extending 'at right-angles to the score16' and of such width as to snugly receive a thickness of box board fora purpose which will presently appear. 'A triangular notch is cut in theboard, to provide an end portion 22 for the side wall l3, Which endportion is inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical plane ofthe score l5, the

amount of this angularity depending upon the slope of the side walls.The base 23 of this triangular notch forms a flap 24 adapted in thefolded box to overlie the side wall H, as shown in Figure 1. The end ofthe flap 24 has a projection 25 out along a line 26 arranged to functionin looking the comer in position, as will presently appear. Spaced fromthe scoring l5 are spaced edges 21 and 28 in different planes definingthe side wall I2 and a corner projection 29. The sidewall is providedwith the ventilation openings I4 and with a vertically disposed slot 3|similar to the slot 2| in the side wall I3. The side wall I2 is alsoprovided with a slot 32 positioned to receive the projection 25 when thebox is folded, the projection 25 passing through the slot 32 and theportion thereof defined by the cut 26 being sheared laterally out of theplane of the remainder of the projection, as shown at 33 (Figure 1) soasto abut against the inner surface of the wall l2 and retain the sidewalls I2 and I3 in position. The end of the side wall I2 has anoverlapping fiap 34, one edge thereof being defined by the trianglecut-out bounded by the edges 22 and 23, this edge also lying at an anglewith respect to the score I5 so that the fiap 34 may lie along the innersurface of the wall I3 with the edge 35 resting against the bottom ofthe box. It will be seen that the angularity of this edge isnecessitated b3. :he slope of the side wall I2. The edge of the flapopposite the edge 35 is provided with a projection 36 arranged tocoincide with the projection I9 when the box is folded so that at eachcorner one side wall will have a double layer of projectionscorresponding to the projections I9 and 36. It will be seen that theprojections I9, 29 and 36 form upstanding legs at the corners of the boxbody for the purpose of supporting a superimposed box in spaced relationto the top of the lower box to provide ventila- -tion therebetween. Thefiap 34 extends beyond the projection 36 as shown at 20, the upper edgeof this portion lying in substantially the same horizontal plane as theedge I! for contact with the lower surface of the cover, as willpresently appear. Because of the manner in which the wall l3 overlapsthe wall I2, the overlapping portion 34 will tend to spring away fromthe inner surface of the wall I3, as shown in Figure 1, the amount ofthis spring being limited, however, by contact of the bottom edge 35with the bottom of the body resulting from the fact that the corners ofthe box slope inwardly and the bottom of the folded box therefore liesin the plane of movement of the flap 34 in any rotation about the cornerdefined by the cut 22 and a score 31 defining the junction between theside wall I2 and the overlapping portion 34.

A cover, designated generally by the numeral 38, is of slightly greaterdimensions than the top of the box body defined by the edges I1 and 21,and has notches such as shown at 39 and 4| at each corner complementalto the upstanding legs, so that when inserted between the projections atthe top of the box, the projection 29 will seat within the notch 4| andthe projections I9 and 36 will seat within the notch 39. The notch 39 isof such width that insertion .of the cover forces the projection 36outward into firm surface contact with the projection I9, whereby theprojection 36 exerts a confining pressure against the edge of the top.The outer edges 42 and 43 of the'cover overlap the edges 21 and H of thebody member in the manner best shown in Fig. 3, and are of such lengthas to abut tightly against the legs or projections I9, 29 and 36, theseprojections being sloped outwardly ..and then inwardly from top tobottom to provide overhanging portions as shown at 46 and 40-0. toconfine the cover. It willthus be seen that at each corner theoverlapping portions '34 exert a. tension against the raw cut edge ofthe cover 38 so as to frictionally hold the cover in position. Inaddition to these forces acting to hold the cover, it

will be observed that the upper edges of the projections 28 and 36overhang the cover because of the sloping side wall, in the manner shownin Fig. 5, so as to further confine and retain the cover in position.This action results from the fact that the cover is made from a singlesheet of unscored box board so as to be semi-rigid in character. Becauseof the limited amount of flexibility in the sheet cover, the cover maybe slightly flexed for insertion between the upstanding cornerprojections and beneath the overhanging edges 40 and 40--a, and isforced into position against the tension of the overlapping portions 34,as a result of which it is firmly held in position against any forceswhich may act thereon during the normal usage of the box. Attention isalso directed to the fact that because of the semi-rigid nature of thecover it acts to rigidify the upper portion of the box, preventingdistortion of the box by twisting or inward fiexing of the side wallsoccasioned by their semi-' flexible nature. As previously pointed out,the upper edge of the flap portion 26 abuts against the bottom of thecover, and this is effective to prevent outward movement of the sidewalls 9 and I2, or in other words, rotation about the scores I5. Thisacts to hold the corner rigid and obstruct the side walls'9 and I2 fromdropping down should the locking projection 25 give way. The top islikewise provided with a plurality of ventilation openings 44 customaryin such boxes.

While the chick box will frequently be used in the form heretoforedescribed, as for example, in small sizes, in the great majority of thecases it will be necessary to partition the box into a number ofseparate sections. For this purpose we provide partitions 45 and 46, thewidths of which are slightly less than the vertical distance between thebottom and the edges I1 and 21, whereby to provide a small space betweenthe cover and the upper edges of the partitions for the passage of airbetween the compartments. The partitions are also provided withconventional ventilation holes 56. The ends of each of the partitionsare sloped inwardly from bottom to top as shown at 41, the slope beingcomplemental to the slope of the side walls so that the ends of thepartitions abut against the side walls throughout their width. The endsof the partitions are also provided with projections or tabs as shown at48 positioned to be snugly received in the openings 2| and 3| of theside walls, which tabs prevent lateral displacement of the partitions.It will be observed that the sloping ends of the partitions are wedgedin by the sloping side walls and thus held down against the bottom ofthe body, which action is assisted by the tabs 48. In order to furtherretain the partitions against lateral movement at their center, thepartition 46 is provided with a slot 49 through which'the partition 45passes and the partition 45 is provided with a slot 'at 5| for thepassage of the partition 46. In order to further rigidify the structure,the partition 46 is provided with upstanding projections 52 and 53arranged to be snugly received in slots 54 and 55 of the cover 38, andproject thereabove. These projections extend to a plane slightly belowthe upper plane of the corner projections of the box body, in whichposition they act to prevent undue sagging of the bottom of a. boxwhich'may be stacked thereon, and at the same time do not interfere withthe stacking of the boxes, the support of a superimposed box at thecorners nor with the cross-ventilation between the boxes. It will bement of the top.

Referring to Fig. 7, we have shown further means for securing the top inplace which may be used in addition to the structure heretoforedisclosed. In this form a knife cut 56 is made in the projection 29, andif desired, also in the projections l9 and 36, the out being made on alevel with the upper surface of the top. This provides a finger orfingers 51 which are then sheared laterally out of the plane of theprojection so as to extend over the top as shown, whereby toadditionally obstruct movement of the top out of its seat.

It will thus be seen that we have provided a chick box adapted to beassembled and held together merely by an interfolding of the parts ofthe box, wherein the construction is simple to assemble and cheap tomanufacture, wherein the sloping side walls and the upstandingprojections at the corners serve to prevent adjacent boxes from beingstacked in such manner as to shut off the ventilation, wherein thesloping side walls and the folding features of the box function with thetop to rigldify the structure, wherein improved means are provided forholding the top in position, and wherein the top, the partitions, thesloping side walls, and the folding structure of the box cooperate toprovide a highly rigid, simple, convenient and eflicient chick box whichmay be used either with or without tying.

While we have thus described and illustrated a specific embodiment ofthe invention, we are aware that numerous alterations and changes may bemade therein within the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish tobe limited except as required by the prior art and the scope of theappended claims, in which- We claim:

l. A chick box comprising a one-piece box board folded to form a body ofapproximate rectangular shape including a bottom and side walls slopinginwardly from bottom to top, said walls having overlapping ends andupstanding projections forming legs extending around each corner andsloping inwardly, one overlapping end portion at each corner beingattached to the outer surface of the adjacent wall, and the otheroverlapping end extending along the inner surface of the adjacent sidewall, a stiff cover of box board shaped to seat across the upper edgesof the side walls between said legs and be frictionally retained by theoverhanging upper ends of said legs.

2. The combination in a chick box of a rec-. tangular body of box boardhaving side walls sloping inwardly from bottom to top overlapping at thecorners, the corner portions thereof projecting above the top surface ofthe remainder of the body to form legs and overlying the box inconverging relation, said body having the end portion of one side walllying free along the inner side of the adjacent wall near the corner,and a semi-rigid sheet of box board forming a cover and shaped forinsertion between said legs, the overlapping end portion and overlyinglegs acting to retain the cover in position and the cover acting toretain said end portions against the adjacent side wall to provide arigid box.

3. The combination in a chick box of a rectangular body of box boardhaving side walls sloping inwardly from bottom to top and overpping atthe corners. the corner portions thereof projecting above the topsurface of the remainder of the box to form legs in part overlying thebox, said body having the end portion of one side wall lying'free alongthe inner side of the adjacent wall near the corner, and a semirigidrectangular sheet of box board forming a cover and having notches at itscorners for reception of the upwardly projecting legs of said boxwhereby the cover seats upon the top surface of the body; theoverlapping end portion and overlying legs acting to retain the 'coverin position and the cover acting to retain said end portions against theadjacent side wall.

4. The combination in a chick box of a onepiecev body of box board cutand scored to provide a bottom, upstanding side walls, and interlockingcorners, each of said corners comprising form the corner.

' 5. The combination in a chick box of a onepieee body of box board cutand scored to provide a bottom, side walls having upstanding projectionsat the corners forming legs, and interlocking corners, each of saidcorners having a flap on the end of one of said side walls arranged tolie unsecured along the inner side of the adjacent side wall whenfolded, and a flap on the end of the adjacent side wall arranged to befolded around the corner of the wall, pass through a slot in thefirst-mentioned wall and be displaced sidewise at its end to lock thesides together and form the corner, and a semi-rigid cover shaped tofrictionally fit between said upstanding legs for holding saidfirst-mentioned flap against the adjacent side wall.

6. The combination in a chick box of a oneplece body of box board cutand scored to provide a bottom, upstanding side walls sloping inwardlyfrom bottom to top and interlocking corners, each of said cornerscomprising an angularly disposed flap on the end of one of said sidesarranged to lie along the inner side of the adjacent side wall whenfolded, and a flap on the adjacent side wall arranged to be foldedaround the corner at the top of the wall, pass through a slot in thefirst-mentioned wall and be displaced sidewise near its end to lock thesides together to form the corner.

'7. The combination in a chick box of a onepiece body of box board cutand scored to provide a bottom, upstanding side walls sloping inwardlyfrom bottom to top and interlocking corners, each of said cornerscomprising an angularly disposed fiap on the end of one side wall formedby an angular-1y disposed score in the side wall, and an angularlydisposed cut forming the lower edge of the flap whereby when folded thebottom of the box intersects the plane of rotation of said edge, and aflap on the end of the adjacent side wall arranged to be folded aroundthe corner at the top of the wall, pass through a slot in thefirst-mentioned wall and be displaced sidewise near its end to lock thesides together corner of the body, pass through a slot in the tionsintegral with the walls at each corner forming legs, a semi-rigid coverarranged to seat across said body and between said legs, said legshaving edge portions in the plane of the side walls overhanging saidcover for retaining the same against the top of said body.

9. The combination in a chick box of a box board body comprisingsidewalls having up standing projections at each corner forming legs, asemi-rigid cover arranged to seat across said body andbetween'said'legs, and a fingeron said projections shaped to bedisplaced out; of the plane of said projections .to overlie the coverand thereby retain the cover against the top 01 the body. I

10. The combination in a chick box. of a body comprising inwardlysloping sidewalls from bottom to top, having upstanding corner legs andflaps on the inner side. of said legs normally urged inward, asemi-rigid coverarranged'to seat across said body and between said legsagainst the tension of said flaps, said legs having overhang-' ing edgeportions for retaining. said cover against the top of said body.

11. The combination in a chick box of a onepiece rectangular box boardcut, scored and.

folded to provide a body of approximate rectangular shape having abottom, side walls having upstanding projections at the corners to formlegs, and interlocking corners, each of said corners comprising anangularly disposed. flap on the end of one side wall arranged to liealong the inner side of the adjacent side wall when folded and having anupper edge coplanar with the top of said body, and a-flap on the end ofthe adjacent side wall arranged to be folded around the first-mentionedside wall and be displaced sidewise at its end to lock the sidestogether and form the corner, and a cover shaped to seat against theupper edges of the side walls below said upstanding projections, saidcover abutting the upper edges of said first-mentioned flaps to preventout-- ward movement of said first mentioned side wall.

12. The combination in a chick box of a onepiece rectangular body 'ofbox board'cut and scored to providea bottom, side wallssloping inwardlyfrom bottom to top and having upstanding projections at the corners toform legs, and interlocking corners, each of said corners comprising anangularlyldisposed flap on the end of one side wall arranged to liealong the inner side of the adjacent side. wall when folded, said flapbeing formed'byanangularly disposed score in the side walland anangularly disposed cut forming the lower edge of the flap whereby whenfolded the bottom of the box. intersects the plane of rotation of saidedge, said flap having an upper edge coplanar with the top of said body,and

a flap on the end of the adjacent side wall ar-.

ranged to be folded around the corner of the body, pass through a slotin the first-mentioned side wall, and be displaced sidewise at its endto lock the sides together and form the corner, and

a cover shaped to seat over the top of the body,

said cover abutting the upper edges of said firstmentioned flaps,wherebysaid flaps are retained tilting movement 01' the side walls onaccidental] release of the corner lock.

13. The combination recited in claim 12,

. wherein a portion of the side walls projecting above said cover isdisplaced laterally out of the walls provided with a centrally disposedslot and 4 a plurality of ventilation openings, said side walls slopinginwardly from bottom to top to prevent said openings from being coveredby adjacent boxes, and at least one partition extending beextendingbetween opposed sides of said box having tabs at their ends forreception in said slots to secure the partitions against lateral andedgewise movement, and sloping ends complemental to the slope of saidwalls to prevent movement of the partitions away from the bottom, atleast one of said partitions having an upstanding projection, and acover seated over the top of said box, the cover having a slot for thereception of the projection on said partition to retain the partitionagainst lateral movement.

16. The combination recited in claim 15, wherein said one of saidpartitions has a transverse slot for the reception of the otherpartition to retain the latter against sidewise displacement at itscenter. v

JOHN Z. MEANS. LARON R. CONKLIN. JOHN H. CONWAY.

